Megyn Kelly’s Donald Trump Question About Women Was A Necessary Attack On The Republican Front-Runner

During Thursday night's debate, in the first question for Donald Trump, Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly came out swinging, and questioned his attitude toward women. "You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals," she said. "Your Twitter account..." Here, Trump interrupted Kelly and tried to make a joke: "Only Rosie O'Donnell." The crowd at Quicken Loans Arena erupted in applause. But Kelly stuck with her question, and didn't let Trump get away with his glib reply. And she continued:

No, it wasn't. For the record it was well beyond Rosie O'Donnell. Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. You once told a contestant on 'Celebrity Apprentice' it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?

Trump dismissed the charge as "political correctness" and said, "I've been challenged by so many people, and I don't frankly have time for total political correctness."

And to be honest you, this country doesn't have time either. This country is in big trouble. We don't win anymore. We lose to China. We lose to Mexico, both in trade and at the border. We lose to everybody. And frankly, what I say — and oftentimes it's fun, it's kidding, we have a good time — what I say is what I say. And honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn't do that.

It was the first of several awkward moments from Trump just in the opening minutes of the debate, and was a surprising show of resolve from Kelly. On a stage with 10 male candidates, it was refreshing to have all eyes on a woman.

Kelly is known for being a bit of a rebel in the Fox News universe. During a Fox News live election night broadcast in 2012, Kelly cut off Republican strategist Karl Rove. The GOP party stalwart was trying to shape the exit polls to suggest that a victory by President Obama wasn't a done deal, even though the overwhelming evidence showed that it was.